Protective member configured to maintain structural integrity of a transfer case of a hybrid vehicle

A vehicle comprising:

• a frame including a pair of longitudinally extending rails that are connected by at least one cross-bar member;
• an internal combustion engine supported by the frame configured to drive at least one wheel connected to the frame;
• an electric drive module supported by the frame and configured to drive the at least one wheel connected to the frame;
• a battery pack configured to provide electric power to each of the internal combustion engine and the electric drive module via a plurality of high-voltage cables;
• a transfer case having a housing and connected to the internal combustion engine by a first drive shaft and the electric drive module by a second drive shaft;
• and
• a protective plate fixed to the housing between the transfer case and the battery pack;
• wherein in the event of the vehicle experiencing a collision event that transfers a force of the collision through the second drive shaft to the transfer case that is sufficient to crack the housing, the protective plate is configured to maintain structural integrity of the housing of the transfer case.